Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum 'Greek'

RHS Plant Profile

oregano 'Greek'

Synonyms

Origanum vulgare 'Greek'

Herbaceous Perennial Herbs - Culinary

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A hardy, upright perennial with highly aromatic, dark green leaves that dry well for culinary use. White flowers appear in mid-summer and last through to autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Origanum may be herbaceous perennials or deciduous or evergreen sub-shrubs, with aromatic foliage and spikes of small tubular flowers usually with conspicuous bracts
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well drained, alkaline soil in full sun or partial shade. See marjoram cultivation for more information This plant was included in the RHS Origanum (oregano and marjoram) trial 2022-2023 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/plant-trial-results/origanum

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Cut back in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to leafhoppers

Diseases

Generally disease-free